ITR Refund Still Pending? Here’s Why Your Income Tax Refund Hasn’t Arrived Yet and What You Can Do Now
Many taxpayers across India are still waiting for their income tax refunds, even though their ITR status on the portal shows as “Processed.” This delay has caused confusion and frustration, especially after the Income Tax Department confirmed that a large portion of returns have already been processed. So why hasn’t the refund reached your bank account yet — and what steps can you take to resolve it? Let’s understand the reasons and solutions.
Over 7.5 Crore ITRs Filed, But Refunds Still Stuck
For the Assessment Year 2025–26, the deadline to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) was September 16, 2025. Despite facing several technical issues, taxpayers rushed to file their returns before the deadline, as the government did not extend it further.
According to official data available till September 16, more than 7.53 crore ITRs had been filed, with over 4 crore already processed. By September 5, that number rose to 7.68 crore returns, out of which 6.11 crore had been processed.
However, many individuals took to social media, reporting that although their ITR status displayed “Processed,” the refund amount has not been credited to their bank accounts yet.
What to Do If Your Refund Hasn’t Arrived Yet
If your refund has been processed but the payment hasn’t reached you, here are the key steps you should follow:
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Check Refund/Demand Status:
Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal and review your refund or demand status under the “Services” tab. This helps confirm whether your refund has been issued or is still pending. -
Verify Bank Details:
Ensure that your bank account number and IFSC code entered in your ITR are accurate. Even a small error in these details can cause the refund to fail or get delayed. -
Match Form 26AS and TDS Details:
Compare the TDS and tax credit information in your Form 26AS with your ITR data. Any mismatch between the two can lead to a processing delay or hold-up in the refund release. -
Request a Refund Reissue:
If everything seems correct and the refund still hasn’t been credited, go to the ‘Refund Reissue’ section on the portal and raise a reissue request. This helps the department reinitiate the transaction. -
Contact the Bank or NSDL:
If an RFD (Refund Reference) code has already been generated but the refund isn’t visible in your account, contact your bank or NSDL support. Sometimes, technical banking delays can take 15–30 days after processing for the refund to appear.
Understanding the Refund Process for Non-Audit Cases
Most non-audit category taxpayers file their ITRs based on salary, bank interest, or other sources of income. Once filed, the Income Tax Department verifies the details such as income, deductions, and TDS before marking the return as processed. Only after this verification is complete does the refund amount get credited to the linked bank account.
ITR Deadlines and Recent Changes
This year, the government extended the ITR filing deadline twice for non-audit taxpayers — first from July 31 to September 15, and then by another 24 hours to September 16, 2025.
However, for audit cases, the last date for filing ITR remains October 31, 2025. Only the submission date for tax audit reports has been extended to the same date.
In previous years, there was usually a one-month gap between the audit report submission and the ITR filing deadline. It remains unclear whether the government will grant additional time for audit case filers this year.
Final Takeaway
If your ITR refund is delayed, don’t panic. Refunds typically take 15–30 days after processing to reach your bank account. The best approach is to double-check your bank details, verify TDS data, and use the refund reissue option if necessary.
By following these steps and staying patient, you can ensure your income tax refund arrives smoothly — without unnecessary worry or confusion.
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